Every single day my focus is to make sure we are doing everything we can to protect our most vulnerable community members. At the city, we have been working around the clock to stay on top of COVID-19 emergency response. Yesterday, the city announced a new expanded role for 311 to support older adults in need of assistance and additional wellness supports support. Now residents can ask for assistance with delivering groceries, medications, or specialized social services all from a 311 call.
Right in the nick of time too.
You see, my office has been doing wellness checks during COVID-19. Every week, we get on the phone and call residents. With few exceptions, I am happy to report, neighbours in Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry ward are coping well.
However, today Nicole from my office encountered a caller needing some help delivering groceries and medicine. The call for help came at the same time that the Mayor Bowman along with Terry Duguid M.P. and Connie Walker, United Way and Age & Opportunity Support Service for Older Adults were announcing more help was coming in the form of 311.
Before this pandemic, residents relied on 311 to be a continuum of support regarding city services. During the pandemic, 311 got many calls beyond their regular service. Now residents can ask 311 for assistance with a variety of health and wellness issues including delivering groceries, medications, or specialized social services. The service adaptation and enhancement is coming as part of the federal government’s announcement of $9 million in funding to United Way Canada. Winnipeg is receiving $170,000 for local organizations to support practical services to Canadian seniors. Additional funding is provided by The Winnipeg Foundation.
Even if it is just to thank residents for doing their part, I will not stop doing wellness checks until we are through the worst of this pandemic. However, being responsive in government means listening to what the public is already doing like calling 311, as they always do, for help. Now, thanks to partners more help in a more substantive way will come when 311 is called.